resources
[want to learn more?]
important policies
AB 32
The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006: The act aims to cut California’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. The state’s progress is overseen by the California Air Resources Board. With this act, California became the first state to individually take action to reduce GHG emissions. {website}
SB 375
The Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008: This requires that all regional Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) establish a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) that integrates housing, transportation, and land-use to achieve a required reduction in passenger vehicle GHG emissions. The local regional MPO is the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG). {website}
SB 732
This bill creates a Strategic Growth Council (SGC) to execute the state’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (ASHC) Program. The goal of the SGC is to foster sustainable communities through economics, social equality, and the environment. Infill development is a primary objective of the council. The AHSC Program focuses on the intersection of land use, housing, transportation, and land preservation and supports infill development as a way to decrease GHG emissions. In efforts to benefit disadvantaged communities and reduce GHG emissions, the program funds two types of projects: Transit Oriented Development projects and Integrated Connectivity projects. {website}
SB 743
This bill revises the guidelines for determining the effects of transportation in a CEQA analysis. Instead of considering a project's "loss of service" or induced-congestion, the new method will be to calculate the additional trips created by the project, or vehicle miles traveled (VMT). There currently is not an official method for calculating VMT. {website}
AUD
Average Unit-Size Density Incentive Program: A trial program where new projects proposed in a specified zone of the city will have looser density restrictions and modified building requirements in order to encourage smaller, more affordable residential units. The pilot program will extend for either eight years or until 250 units have been built. This program is the city’s strategy for combatting the jobs-housing balance. {website}
local players
Santa Barbara County Association of Governments [SBCAG] {website}
A regional planning agency made up of Santa Barbara County and the 8 incorporated cities. Responsible for distributing transportation funding to its member agencies. In addition, SBCAG creates the Regional Transportation Plan [RTP] and Sustainable Communities Strategy [SCS] for the region.
Regional Transportation Plan [RTP] and Sustainable Communities Strategy [SCS] {website}
The RTP is a long-range planning document created by SBCAG to forecast how transportation will change with future demands and with expected funding will be allocated. The SCS is a recent addition to the plan, spurred by SB 375. The goal of adding this plan is to integrate land-use with transportation in a more holistic process.
City of Santa Barbara Planning Commission {website}
Makes recommendations to the City Council on adoption of the General Plan and Zoning Ordinances, etc. Responsible for overseeing the Average Unit Density [AUD] program as a means to increase workforce housing and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.